SEAFOOD.COM NEWS by John Sackton -Sept. 22, 2009 – Reports at the New England council meeting starting today show that boats with fishing history overwhelmingly opted to join the upcoming sector management system.
According to an NMFS report, 723 vessels signed up to participate in 17 different sectors. In recent years, about 600 vessels have been active in the fishery, although there are more than twice as many inactive permit holders.
The 723 vessels that signed on to sectors represent about 90% of the total harvest history, according to some preliminary calculations. If this is borne out, the issues around the common pool may become much more tractable, since it may represent as little as 10% of the regional harvest. Vessels retain the ability to drop out of the sector scheme until May 1, 2010.
John Sackton, Editor And Publisher
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